Finding The God Of Togetherness In The Quarantine

Saint Hilary says that we are to enjoy God through the Holy Spirit. But what is the Holy Spirit? I used to envision the Holy Spirit as a lonely thing, as a bright white light in the sky, or as a lonely dove flying through a blue sky with clouds. One day I realized that every time I envisioned the Holy Spirit, He was alone.

But the Holy Spirit is not alone. The catechism says that the Holy Spirit is Christ's love for His Father, and God's love for His Son. Even when the Holy Spirit is "like a dove" as in Matthew 3:16-17, He is not alone: "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

When I stopped to think about that, I decided I would never adore Holy Spirit as alone anymore. Now, when I try to connect with the Holy Spirit, the source of all grace, I think of the joy of calling my dad after work and talking to him, of picturing and loving my father's face. Or, the joy of holding my son and pulling him close to me. Or, of Jesus loving His Dad, or of God as a Daddy loving His Son.

Generally, we have to stop envisioning God as by Himself, and far away from people. Our God is not alone. He is a family of persons. When you adore Christ, see Him with children, friends, loved ones. When you envision Jesus, and enjoy His face, enjoy Him surrounded by crowds, by His apostles, loving the people He is with, and helping them.

Now, more than ever in the quarantine, we have to resist the temptation to worship God as if He is lonely. During the quarantine, the God of togetherness is needed more than ever.

Me & My Dad